Teacher of the year honors

Dillard High School instructor Catherine Giles was named Teacher of the Year last week by the Kids in Need Foundation.

Giles, a special education teacher, received the award before students and teachers. She also received a $500 prize and a trip to Minneapolis for an awards gala. Dillard High also receives $500.
The foundation has awarded millions in grants to teachers at low-income school districts across the country over the last 20 years.

 Youth fair sponsors races for middle high school kids

The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair’s Cross-Country Race open to middle school and high school athletes will take place Thursday, at Larry and Penny Thompson Park, 12451 SW 194th St., Miami.

Junior varsity races begin promptly at 3 p.m. followed by varsity races at 4:45 p.m. The final race of the day starts at 5:20 p.m. Winners will receive their awards, including the new Miami-Dade Mayor’s Cup, at an awards ceremony following the races.

The Youth Fair’s annual Cross-Country Race draws more than 1,500 high school and middle school students from Miami-Dade County public and private schools to compete at the park’s cross-country track.

State fines Circle K Stores

The state is fining Circle K Stores $1 million for operating a check-cashing service without a license.

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation announced a settlement with the gas station and convenience store chain on Thursday.

Circle K agreed to pay the fine and will now be granted a license to operate check-cashing services at their Florida stores.

The chain had been operating the service without a license since 2009.